"…not really about…sheep and goats."

Well I started this post over a year ago...! And apparently I saved it as a draft ???

be of good cheer

go in search

gather them together

bring them back

[to] the place of water

This is so sweet!

(Miss you Nyk, Carson, Tay and Kiss!)

I was reading Ammon's account of him contending with all the bad guys by cutting off their arms. That story, to me, has always been one about Ammon's courage/bold faith and undaunted spirit against all odds. THIS time however, because of Elder Holland's comment on parables not really being about sheep and goats--I was impressed with the workings of/with the sheep!!

A few questions to consider before reading:

Q's: What is water symbolic of in the scriptures? 
       Did the sheep ever actually partake of the water when they were first brought?
       What was the cause of their scattering?
       When brought back to the water again, why were they
               1.) not able to drink the water right away?
               2.) not scattered the second time, because they were scattered the first time?
       Did they eventually water?
       And to whom did they get to return home to?
--

 26 And after he had been in the service of the king three days, as he was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with their flocks to the place of water...and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water—

 27 Therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king were driving forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a certain number of the Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to water, stood and scattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways.
…
 31 And it came to pass that he [Ammon] flattered them [the servants of the King] by his words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us.

 32 And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks, and they did follow Ammon, and they rushed forth with much swiftness and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather them together again to the place of water.

 33 And those men again stood to scatter their flocks; but Ammon said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.

 34 Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them, and he went forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters of Sebus; and they were in number not a few.

... 39 And when he had driven them afar off, he returned and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the king... (Alma 17 emphasis added)

 I hope my excitement in this subject does not kill the message! In response to the missionary who feels he is everyday/all day just "Home Teaching"... change the word "flock" to "members".

Perhaps for full time missionaries or member missionaries, the temptation is to think that there is only real joy in bringing someone to Christ's living waters who has never yet been. But the truth is, we all have been and partook of His waters before coming here to this earth.

For those members who may have been brought to the waters of baptism, perhaps some have not taken what Christ's waters have to offer by actually "drinking" in the gospel. Perhaps the demons of addiction, lack of commitment, family loyalty/traditions, laziness, sorrow, grief, fear, despair, sadness, struggle with commandment keeping, marital struggles (the list goes on and on) where "standing" ready to scatter whoever was brought to Christ...and those "standings" were successful.

BUT YEA to the missionary (member or full time servants) who are being of good cheer with the inspired assignment of going and searching, swiftly heading off, bringing back, encircling, contending, disarming the opposition, and making a way for a watering! His watering! Then together--heading for the pasture of the King.

It is an exciting time to be alive with God's hastening going on! I testify to all, that the sweetness and real joy is that someone is able and does partake. Whether it is their first mortal experience to the place of water or they have been brought back for the 100th time... when one does partake, one is changed!

Oh the wisdom of our great God!!

be of good cheer

go in search

gather them together

bring them back

[to] the place of water

 "together" would imply that there is more than "one" to gather... we are talking about families! And God would have us bring them back TOGETHER to the place of water! Oh the hastening of His work! Oh you missionaries, if you are given such an opportunity--EAT IT UP!

I am grateful for flower "snowball" fights.

Happiness is glistening eyes caught in the dark as one starts to realize that he wants to partake of Christ's water.

Sweet is the joy the gospel brings!

If God allows and grants you the sacred work of going in search, gathering and bring back so one might partake... I promised you, you will count your blessings 10 by 10 and you will be surprised at what the Lord has done!!

Its not really about sheep!

When you feel like you are drowning...

JUST REMEMBER!
...THE Lifeguard walks on water!  

I saw the saying -- When you feel you are drowning, remember, your Lifeguard walks on water--online the other day. Such a clever saying! It was attached with a beautiful picture of Christ's feet walking on top of the water. I decided it just needed a little tweaking. Yes, YOURS and MY Lifeguard walks on water, but ultimately there is only ONE Lifeguard, THE Lifeguard of all our souls. If we allow ourselves to, we can stretch out and reach for His hands for His hands are always reaching for us. 

So many miracles, I don't have enough time to write them all. I have seen God's hand and tender mercies unfold time and time again. There is no limit to His goodness, His long suffering, His kindness!

In needing and wanting to visit with someone who seems impossible to visit--for months I have talked to God about not knowing what new game plan to take. The impression came to stop by her house before work. 8:30am brought me knocking on her door and her mom saying that she would wake her up. I half expected rolling eyes and daggers to pierce me when she found out I was the one who took her from her dreamland slumber... but a hour later we were talking about God and His plans for her. The spirit was present and I know she knew God had sent her a message. God made a way! 

I have not seen Myrna since Christmas Eve where my mom, Thaynermack and Santa snuck over to visit her in the rehab place. She cried with our visit and we cried seeing her fighting for her life. She did not want to be in there and had even attempted to go home. The doctor told her she could go home and die, or she could stay at the center and learn to live. She chose to learn to live!

Myrna has now been home for almost a month and her health has improved! Dad cooked up her favorite, spaghetti and I had the privilege of taking it to her home. Boy did she look so good!  She is not 100% Myrna but she was cracking jokes about her hair and she was filled with so much light and joy! Look at that smile!



She said while she was in the hospital that there many times where she just wanted to die. She even asked God to allow her to die. She did this several times, but to no avail... God still has a work for Myrna on THIS side of the veil. And thank goodness! 

With permission from Myrna, I would like to share with you some of her sacred testimony about her experience with cancer.

Q:How did you discover you had cancer?
I started having bleeding, and I thought I better go to the doctor. I thought it was a hemorrhoid, but they found a tumor and it was a 2 out of 4 stages of cancer.

After my surgery I just wanted to die and I wanted to be with Jim [her husband that passed away nearly 5 years ago] so bad. I prayed for the Lord to take me but he wouldn't do it. I should have listened to all my priesthood blessings. They all said I would pull through it and I was going against the Lord's will by asking him to let me die.

A couple days after the surgery I looked at Craig [her son] and I thought he looked so scared and so worried. He said "mom, promise me you wont give up." That is when I knew I had to live. He and I are really close. After that I snapped out of it and was doing very good [for a time] ...

I was in there [the hospital] for 10 days and came home for 3 weeks. Then they started the chemo... I did really good for the first 3 or 4 months of chemo, but then they gave me too much chemo and I just could not eat. I was getting worse and worse instead of better. ...

After being rushed to the hospital after one of her treatments, they found that her levels were at zero. Dr. Radly told Debbie (Debbie is Myrna's sweet daughter-in-law who like Ruth of old, has never left her Mother-in-law's side) that one more hour and Myrna would have been dead. They had given her too much Chemo. It was the hospital's mistake. Myrna recalls:

I can remember feeling like I was floating... and the clouds were so bright, you can't describe them... so peaceful... but then BOOM (!) I wasn't there and something pulled me back. God didn't want me back [with him]. I didn't see anyone or hear anyone just those bright bright clouds.... but that is when Dr. Radly thought they were loosing me.

When I was going up [to the the hospital] every 2 weeks to get chemo... I have an old car and I would always say a prayer that we would be safe and the car wouldn't have any troubles and we [never did have any troubles].

I kept having [a] dream over and over... there was a long hall... and there was a man that had his back to me and he was sweeping--he was sweeping away the debris in the hall. When he got to the end of the hall he turned to face me. It was the Savior and he smiled. He had such a beautiful smile. I didn't understand the meaning of the dream but I had it over and over... but it then came to me that the Savior was clearing the way for Debbie and me...  [With reverence and quiet emotion Myrna then declared] So I have seen the Savior.

The second time when I was in the nursing home I prayed for God to take me and he didn't... I did not want to be there, but he didn't take me. [Then with perfect "Myrna humor" she said] God didn't want me neither did the devil so I am back here to torment you guys!

 In church Sunday, Myrna had no intentions of baring her testimony and even told her self that she was too emotional to share, but then "BOOM I am up there.... sometimes you have got to do it because the spirit told to."

When asked what advice she would give to anyone who is in the thick of their storm Myrna said: "Don't give up, have faith and have [priesthood] blessings all along [the journey]."

We laughed, we cried, we hugged, and we praised God for his goodness.  I wish everyone could have her the profound conviction in her realization that she was praying to die when it was God's will for her to live. This woman is surely among the elect of God.

In prep for Jinger's birthday and some other experiences I was led (with a heart and mind that was ready to pay attention) to sing and take notice of the words in Hymn 85. I have taken out the repet of most verses... but how profound the lyrics to this song are!

How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word! What more can he say than to you he hath said, Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled? 

In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health, In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth, At home or abroad, on the land or the sea— As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be. 

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 

When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow, For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. 

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. 

E’en down to old age, all my people shall prove My sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love; And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn, Like lambs shall they still in my bosom be borne. 

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

I am not sure why we are called to go through all that we are called to go through... but this I do know.  Our Savior, WALKS on water! And when through fiery trials our pathway shall lie, HIS grace, IS sufficient and will be our supply. The flames will not hurt us, but will be the KEY to consume our dross and refine the gold "divine" that is in us.

MY SOUL on Jesus shall lean for repose. I WILL NOT, I CANNOT desert to His foes. And although all hell will endeavor to shake me (physically, spiritually, mentally, emotioally)...

I'll NEVER, I'LL NEVER, I'LL NEVER MY GOD forsake!

Jesus walks on water and He has and will continue to clear the debris! 

Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder...!  

DON'T FAIL TO SEE...

This morning as I was getting ready for my day, I listened to this experience that Sister Menlove had with her grandchildren.  I remember hearing the story in General Conference, but I don't remember it being so profound.  I was touched.  She recounted:

A few months ago I had an opportunity to take a morning walk on a mountain trail with four of my grandchildren. We each brought a bag so we could collect treasures from nature. As we looked for pieces to put in our collection, we found many different colors, designs, and textures in the leaves and rocks. It was hard to choose. I soon noticed that the children’s bags were filling up. Each leaf the children selected was unique, but because it was late fall, most of the leaves had dark weathered spots, irregular shapes, or faded and discolored parts. Because of this, I was reluctant to add things to my bag. I was looking for a leaf that showed the brightest colors and had no flaws. If it wasn’t perfect, I wasn’t going to treasure it. But this meant that my bag had very little in it.

Later, as I thought about this experience, I realized that I had cheated myself of much delight and happiness that could have been mine. I didn’t appreciate the uniqueness of the objects because I was looking for what I had deemed perfection. My grandchildren had been wiser than I had been. They had savored the odd shapes and spots on the leaves. They giggled at and enjoyed the brittle crispness of the dying leaves, and they delighted in the soft, faded colors. They filled their bags with happy treasures to take home. We can fail to see and enjoy the unique happiness and beauty in each day if we are so focused on our desire for what we want instead of what the Lord has designed for us. (For full article click here.)

Now there is a lot to say of what am I "filling" my earthly bag with.  We are told that we are to go in search of a pearl of great price, and when we find it, we should sell all that we have to obtain it.  But I am thankful for this sweet reminder of seeing/finding the joy in life rather then seeking/only focused on the "perfectness" of something/anything!  I surely would have only placed the most beauitful and most perfect leaves in my bag as well!!  What if God did that?!  Only picked out the perfect and flawless children to communicate with/and or to love?  Well he would only have one Son in that bag, namely Jesus Christ.  But yet, I know that God treasures each of us!  Even with our unique flaws/imperfections.

Sister Menlove's story reminded me of a morning I had in May with Ms. Mia Bella.

It was cold, and cold, and lifeless, and did I mention COLD?! :)  Mia and I went outside to "see" what we could see.  No leaves, brisk wind, mud and dirt everywhere.  Needless to say the morning would not be counted as one of my top 10 beautiful mornings-- or so I thought!


Mia was running around and playing in the dirt.  Having such a fun time.  She would find an obstacle of sagebrush in her path and then only with the confidence that graces an adventurous two year old she would try stepping over the brush. It was fun seeing her confidently lift her leg and with a glance towards me that seemed to say, "Did you see how high I just lifted my leg?!" When she landed her footing successful, she would squeal and flap her arms in delight.  I was trying to be the responsible "aunt" in keeping her out of the more muddy spots, while allowing her the freedom of roaming around where she chose to.

Again, this morning was nothing to talk about for it was pretty bleak.  Or was it?

At one point I got close to the ground for kicks and giggles of wanting to capture the perspective of  a two year old footstep.  I captured a lot more than a shoe! 


My bleak/lifeless morning changed in an instant to breath taking yellow and gold spread splendor!  The ground was literally covered with hundreds of smaller than dime flowers.  They were EVERYWHERE!  Mia had discovered them before me! (The picture of her above crouching down is of her capturing one of the flowers.  If you look closely to her right you will see a littering of yellow. Click on the picture and you will see even better how there are flowers everywhere!) 

My morning changed!  Not because God put leaves on the trees and dried up all the mud.  But rather He allowed me to see, what I had failed to see... His beauty!  His hand! His sunshine! I expected to see it in the warmth of the air and in the hoped for "life" in the trees.  He however, had provided it just inches off the ground.

A guy on Sunday shared a quote that his mission companion shared with him.  "Perspective brings patience."  So eternal perspective, when viewing things as they really are--the "bigger picture" patience is provided.  Well my inches off the mud view provided a new perspective. As well.  Like Sister Menloves discovery of missing out in all the joy and treasures she could have enjoyed had she not be so focused on perfection, I too could have missed the most beauitful display/arrangement of sunshine right above the mud!

Perspective!!

A friend shared her despair as tears fell from her cheeks.  With life's changes she could not believe that God had taken so many things away from her.  I asked her if she had thought of all the things that Christ had done for her, to which she responded that she could not think of one thing he had done for her.  (It was like living Elder Oak's talk from General Conference for myself.)  My sweet friend, with tears of anger and tears of sorrow, grasped for any form of happiness, but sadly she was convinced that her happiness would only be found in her boyfriend coming back and her getting to "just live" her life how she wanted, without guilt or responsibilities.

I tried to share with her the hundreds of yellow flowers that marked and covered the path... but one must come to discover what is literately growing out of the "muds/hardships" of life for themselves.  She saw only what I saw at first... a lifeless, cold, bleak morning, and in bitterness and with anguish of soul her tears continued to flow.

My brother had a significant dream back in 2003:

"I had a dream a little while ago in which I was going to class when I began to feel quite thirsty. So I went to the drinking fountain and took a long drink, but as I did so I noticed that I couldn't feel the water in my mouth or throat. I drank again, again I felt nothing. Slightly irritated I got a large bottle of water and proceeded to empty its contents down in my mouth, I still felt nothing and I was becoming more and more thirsty. This was becoming quite aggravating so I left my class and found myself walking outside to a grass field which had sprinklers watering the lawn. I was sooo thirsty. So i went to the sprinkler and started to drink. Arrrgggg! Again I couldn't feel the water and I just go thirstier and thirstier. What was going on! As I was about to try the water in a near by gutter, I woke up. With an extremely dry mouth I got out of bed to get a drink. As I held the glass I stared at it for a while, trying to give it the impression that if I couldn't feel the water as I drank, it could enjoy being flung against the wall. I tipped the glass to my mouth and drank. YES! The water was cold against my throat, the thirst slowly dissipated. There are times in my life when I thirst, and I have found there are sources that cannot satisfy.  I am learning that there is only one true source for living water, Christ. He not only extends his water, He also pleads for me to drink. As I drink I am filled with his spirit and I find an increased capacity to feel and love. He knows how to quench my thirst because He too has thirsted like me. He causes springs of faith and hope in my driest times. He is the true fount, the fount of every blessing. I know He lives, loves and will lead me home if I will follow." -- Brytt Cloward

When we chatted it came down to the fact that she really did want to live her life the way she wanted to, and not have to keep commandments or put Christ in it.  The amazing beautiful thing about this life-- is that we can choose just to do that!  God will never force us to follow Him, or have faith in His son. But I echo the words of my brother that I too have found that there are sources that cannot satisfy.  And ultimately "there is only one true source of living water, Christ."

So I get to choose what goes in my bag!  May I fill it with the things that matter!  May I see what I couldn't see before in noticing the beauty of mud grown flowers!

To my dear friend-- God loves you.  And there is joy to be had even on seemingly bleak mornings.

May we see, what we couldn't see...!

Jesus lives!

BECAUSE, I LOVE JESUS

This morning was beautiful as I rushed out the door to make it in time for Ali's third little girl--Rachel's baby blessing. Meadow was having her own bundle of joy blessed this morning and I wish I could have been in two places at once! With both blessings being at the same time but an hour in distance apart from one another I prayed where God would have me be. I was to go to Orem. Not only was the blessing wonderful, and my life is always better when Ali is in it--but I was to hear the testimonies given in Ali's ward. :) God is so perfect with his timing. And AMEN to wearing waterproof mascara on my bottom lashes. Seriously, who ever came up with that stuff was BRILLIANT! :)

The testimonies shared were beautiful.

One man shared how simply partaking of sacrament, that little sip of the water each week is refreshing. And how when each of us turn to the Living Waters (Jesus Christ) and just take a sip of His teachings/His words, our life is refreshed.

How true this has been for me! The past two weeks the sky has dumped, poured and even at times drenched the earth. And the only thought I seem to have while I am watching everything get soaked/or shortly after it has been soaked is the fact how much better/more beauitful the world looks after it has been wet. All the colors are more vibrant, even the brown on the mountains is more rich. More alive. Water makes the details stand out. How true like the simple sip of the sacrament is refreshing, a simple sip, a taste of the Savior in our life whether drenching style or starting out with a small drizzle... ones life that is "touched" with the Savior's water is all the more better. That life is all the more bright and brilliant. LIVING WATER MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER!

I was also touched by a sister who said she and her husband had a busy Sat. They woke up earlier than they would have liked to get up for a Sat. As they hurried around, her husband was getting ready to go with the young men or scouts on a hike. It had just snowed and the land was covered in it. This woman watched her husband bundled up in his coat go out to the car. She noticed how he didn't seem too excited to be going on the hike. She wished him good luck. To which he responded, "I do it because I love Jesus." She was deeply impressed with his statement. She went back inside and worked on a part of her calling that she wasn't ever thrilled to work on, but her attitude was a little different as she reflected why she did it--because she too loved Jesus.

I was touched by this story. Sometimes we are asked to do things that we just don't want to do or care to do--but why do we do/should we do it regardless of our own wants/desires... BECAUSE WE LOVE JESUS. Loved it!

There were other stories born about God's miraculous wisdom and power. One sister was impressed she needed to fly south to find some of her ancestor's graves. She was led to meet a woman who knew exactly where the little, in the woods, cemetery was- three miles off the main road on a gravel road. This woman went and took pictures at the grave side. One week later- this last week the tornadoes hit, and that little cemetery is completely gone now. She had just been led there the previous week! God is amazing.

I am convinced that Heavenly Father also wanted me to hear about a sister who said that she was living the impossible. She had a husband, children and they cherished her. I needed to hear that.

Being with Ali, always choice. I love that girl. In so many ways.

I don't talk about it--but Ali's first daughter is named Bryndi. I don't know if there is a higher complement then someone YOU look up to chooses to name their daughter after you. I don't mention this for any praise to me for surely I would never want to disappoint or give this little girl a reason to not want to live up/like the person's who's name she bares, and truly this little girl will make her own mark and her name is completely hers. But I shared with Ali's grandmother in detail why when Ali was pregnant I never asked Ali what her baby's name was going to be. See--Ali and I in one of the first RS activities we ever had together played this awesome game with a ball of yarn being thrown around in a circle symbolic of being tied together and unity. Then the other part of the activity was taking a paper and writing passing it around and letting others write you a personal note. On my paper, Ali had written that she liked my name and thought she would name her first daughter Bryndi. I never mentioned this to Ali--and when she became pregnant--years later (I had served a mission and had come home) I never wanted to ask her what she would name her daughter because 1.) I didn't want her to feel obligated that just because she stated that on a paper, she was "held" to that comment she had made so long before and 2.) I felt a little prideful/embarrassed that if she was choosing the name Bryndi, I didn't want to assume that it had anything to do with me as a person but rather just because she liked the sound of the name. (I have no idea why I am sharing all of this) So I just never talked to Ali about it. Truth is, if she did choose that name, and even if it was just because she liked that "name"... it was deeply not only flattering, but a lot to live up to.

Well the day of the baby shower came... and still I had never asked Ali. WHICH, mind you was silly, because Ali IS one of my heroes and I care about EVERYTHING in her life. And a first baby, and the name, is pretty much the topic of conversation.

It was there at the baby shower Ali shared with everyone that her little girl would be named Bryndi. Afterwords, I wept. And that sweet little girl has said to me in private out of the blue, "Know what?! I have your name." "Did you know I was named after you?". Deeply honored. Oh to have a name that that little girl would be proud to have/share. Ali, I should tell you to your face--it is a great honor to share names with your daughter. I pray and will strive to be/share a name that she won't regret being tied to. I love you Al.. A lot!

Tonight was history in the making as my ward and I attended the announcing of my area's new YSA stake. There were 30 stake president's before us, four quorums of the 70 and then walked in Elder Cook! I was sitting on the 2nd row, talk about blessing! It was deeply moving to see such a powerful display of the priesthood that was before me. The talks and testimonies each shared were choice. Here was Elder Cook. A special witness for Christ. One of 15 men in the whole world, was sitting/talking there 15 feet in front of me.

The spirit was present and I felt a desire to rescue. A theme ever present in my life but I have never really looked at it as a "rescue". The conference was choice. And with the preparation of Ali's ward I had some specific things God was telling me.

After the meeting everyone rushed to go shake pres cook's hand. I was standing around and when the crowds died down, I noticed that elder Gong was coming off the stands. No other YSA were around. I shook Elder Gong's hand and thanked him for the meeting. Then he caught me completely off guard when he asked me what was the one thing I got from the conference. I had taken several pages of notes, and been moved by the spirit and for a split sentence didn't know what I was going to say--when I caught myself saying, "That I can trust the Lord". The words spilled out, and almost felt not conscious/in control of what I was saying. He said that that was very interesting.

I left his hand shake a little stunned. I had not written anything about trust. nor had the many lessons God wanted me to hear that morning been connected with trust, but when asked by Elder Gong, that is what came out of my mouth. Guess, that I needed to hear it from my own mouth! :) And surely the Lord wanted me to hear that lesson.

In a hundred little small ways, it has been an amazing Sunday. Then again Sunday is my FAVORITE day of the week.
Just a sip of the Savior will refresh and immediately brighten our life. Even when our heart isn't in doing something/would long to do something else, we do it BECAUSE we love Jesus. When your life hero names their daughter with your same name, there is a huge honor, deep profound awh and a lot to live up to, and God wants us to trust Him! I WILL trust Him. I have been praying and fasting for a vision and to have faith in that vision. Today was the cap stone of what God want's me to envision for my life. For my future. I will/DO trust in Him!

BACK TO THE WATER HOLE

Today is the day!

My uncle Paul knows how much I love photography and nature--so for quite some time he has been forwarding me one of his co-work's brother's photography emails. It has been such a treat to look at all the amazing shots of Kent Keller, the photographer. It has been even more fun to know that he is shooting these pictures close to home! Last week he just sent in shots of some of Utah's mountain goats!

Well back in July, my uncle Paul forwarded me one of Kent's latest adventures with some wild horses. This email was a little different in that Kent wrote about his experience. I read his email a handful of times, for so deep was the application. I contacted Kent to make sure it was okay if I shared his email and pictures here on my blog. He graciously said yes. So with his permission, I share his email.

>>> Kent Keller 7/12/2009 7:29 AM >>>
Spent a hot and dusty July 7th with wild horses. I got shots of a normally very shy, beautiful palomino stud, a horse splashing water on a nasty bite wound, a swimming colt in over his head and rescued a little buckskin filly that got caught on the wrong side of a fence from her mom and band. By the time I found her she was so stressed she was trembling uncontrollably and kept falling down. When I got her back with her mom the band ran a mile to the water hole. It took the filly 30 minutes to reach the water. She fell down and laid still for almost three hours. She seemed fine after that.

When I read in his email that he caught a picture of a horse splashing water on the nasty bite--did you notice how big the wound was?! (You can click on the picture for a bigger view. I would love for my pictures to upload bigger on the blog, but I am kind of blog illiterate, so if anyone knows how to make these pictures upload big on the blog, I would love to know!) Did you see how big the wound was?!

I immediately thought to how the Savior is living water. If you come to Him you can be healed! The horse's instinct was to splash water on the wound. Or perhaps he just thought it might feel better. BOTH are true for the Savior! I forgot to ask Kent if the 3rd photograph down is the same horse. If it is, from that angle, you can't see the wound on the horse.

So many times, many of us have wounds that are sometimes hidden from others views, some wounds are deep, some are old but are still festering, some wounds seem insignificant compared to others--but all wounds whether the wound of not forgiving, holding a grudge, pride, envy, jealousy, the wound of hate, lack of faith, bitterness, resentment, blame, abuse, criticism--all these wounds, insignificant or not, if not cleansed with LIVING WATER, our Savior, they can become festering sores. Sores that take away our peace, destroy our hope, and most times influence/set a bad example/attitude for those around us.

The horse splashed water upon a nasty bite. The Savior is the living water. He is the healer of all wounds. Back to the thought of the pools of Bethesda when the water moved, the first person in it was made whole of whatever infirmity they had. The Savior's water is always moving.

Am I willing to let Him take a look at my wounds?

When you first clean out a wound, it can be quite painful. Sheri Dew says, the Savior heals without a scar. Will I let Him heal me? Do I immerse myself and my wounds in/with His love and His mercy and His wisdom? He can heal-- will I allow Him to heal me?

I loved the picture of the swimming colt who was way in over his head. Sometimes the choices I make put me way in over my head. Oh how many times has the Savior come to rescue me?! How many times have my visiting teachers come and shared a message with me that I needed. A coworker, a boss, a father or a mother, how many times has the Lord sent them to aid me in my swimming mess?!

Kent's last story left me filled with the spirit. His story about the Filly on the other side of the fence. I asked Kent how he had gotten the Filly back to her mom and band. He said he cut a whole in the fence and coaxed her towards her mom.

This Filly found herself separated from the ones she loved the most. And because she had been separated so long/distressed for so long when Kent found her she was trembling uncontrollably. Our choices can separate us from God and can cause us great distress. So much distress that our agency can be taken away and we are left to tremble uncontrollably in our consequences.

I wonder if she was even more freaked out when Kent, a human (and she a wild little filly) tried to get close enough to help her.

Do I freak out when someone I love is trying to help me get back on the right side of the fence?

God gives us "Kents" all along our fences to help us back to the path. These Kents are our priesthood leaders, the church, faithful-sincere-mighty prayer, scriptures, our living prophet, home teachers/visiting teaching, temple covenants, paying a faithful tithe--all of these are tools to help us get back to our "Heavenly" band. All of these are to help us have/enjoy true happiness.

Many times when we fall on the side of the fence we should not be on, it is sometimes hard to do the things/take the actions to come back. But it is so worth it.

I was intrigued by the fact that when this filly was back with her mother - it still took her 30 mins to travel a mile to the water whole. And when she got there she collapsed for several hours. Sometimes our journey back to the Savior, our living water, may take a little longer...and that's okay! Our weaknesses and our areas for improvement don't fix over night. But He can start to soften our heart immediately! We need to be patient with our one step at a time. We need the Savior and the atonement to become whole. We need the water hole!

So if you know of someone who is stuck on the other side of the fence don't give up on them!

I want to be a Kent! I want to be the one helping cut the hole and coasting someone back on the path remembering that they might be slow at first.

I was touched by the filly's determination to get to the water hole. And when she got there, so long had her journey of hardships that it just took her a little longer recovery to jump back into the full swing of the band.

So it is for me! When I have been walking a road that is not in harmony with the spirit, it may take me a little longer to get back into the full swing of the gospel. But thank goodness Heavenly Father will send me Kents along my way! Thank goodness for good friends, loving parents/family, an amazing boss, and a great bishop who are like Kent cutting a whole in the fence. I am still the one that must chose whether I am going to walk through the opening.

All of this from Kent's photography eye! And today was finally the day I was able to share it with you!

I know that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's true church on the earth. I know the Savior lives and loves us. He and our Heavenly Father will never give up on us. An though we may be trembling on the other side of the fence, they will make a way for us to escape and/or conquer whatever is not in harmony with the gospel in our lives. It is ours to endure to the end... In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

"WATER, I NEED WATER"

Last night was such a special night in the temple. Every time I go I love it, but tonight was consuming, (in a good way.) Stake conference is this weekend and the whole stake presidency joined our ward temple night. I was filled with admiration and spilling love. As I looked around the endowment room there were many faces from our stake. My heart was full as I thought about the chance to enter into God's presence with such wonderful people-my brothers and sisters in the gospel. I longed for all my friends, family and my ward to be with me. We all need the temple in our life.

A woman got out of her seat and mumbled that she needed something. I couldn't quite make out what she said, but I noticed how awful she looked. She was white and she could barely stay standing. I thought she might pass out. Sweet Sister Born took her out and I heard the woman say, "Water, I need water". Sister Born offered her juice (I am sure because of how completely off this woman looked.) She just kept saying, "No, I just need water, I need water".

Within 5 mins the sister came back with a little glass of water. She sat down. And like my friend from a few days ago, it was a complete night and day change. This woman was revived! The color was back in her face and she was not wobbly on her feet.

This woman knew what she needed - water.

One of my favorite stories in the New testament - okay so I have lots, but on my "lots" list--I have listed is John 5:

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

This picture hangs in my room. It is the one art piece that I have spent actual money on getting framed! It is one of my most favorite paintings.
Impotent means = lacking bodily strength or physically helpless, no power (dictionary.com). An angel troubled the water so that whenever the water would move, the first person in the water was healed of whatever infirmity they had.

One man sat by the edge of the pool for 38 years. When the Savior, who knew how long the man had been waiting by the pool, came over him, He asked the man how 'Wilt though be made whole'. The man then told him his story of having no one to help him into the pool. Jesus tells him to rise and take up his bed and walk. (I love the fact that he does this on the Sabbath! Great insight to what our Sabbath days should be filled with--HEALING! How can we know how long someone has been in their condition if we are not visiting/going to where they are. Oh, too good! I will have to leave this awesome Sabbath example for anther day.:))

If you will look closely at this picture, what do you notice about the water?
It is like a sheet, no ripples at all. I had a wise teacher point out WHO is Christ?--He is the Living Water. Ask yourself then: How often is Christ's water moving?

Always!

!!!

This man waited by the pool for 38 years. How long do I wade through my afflictions/infirmities -- waiting for the moving of the water, when really I just need to go to the true source!

In a different view, maybe we are called to bare a curtain situation/trial burden for a longer period of time then we would like. This man's trial was 38 years long. There are folks in the scriptures with similar stories. The woman in Matt had an "issue of blood" for 12 years! Sometimes our Gethsemane can last for years.

I have a dear friend, whom I love, that has Lupus. Among the physical trials of this disease--recently his kidneys have threatened to fail. One evening as he laid on his couch he wondered how he could go on. He was ill, and felt he might even die. Following a prompting, he was led to read this quote:

“I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, ‘Why?’ I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and time.”

-Russell M. Nelson, “Jesus Christ—the Master Healer”

Very ill and not knowing if he could make it, his home teachers came over and gave him a blessing. He still doesn't know what the outcome will be, but if you talked to him, you would never know how much he suffers--for gladness and trust in God is all that he will let escape his mouth. I was deeply moved after hearing his courage and his optimism in God's plan for him--even in the mist of his suffering.

In whatever we are called to bare-may we keep the faith as we "bare" it for however long.

Or maybe we are not waiting by the water at all, but someone round us/near us is! Am I helping them to Christ? Am I sensitive to the infirmity they have?

We are all impotent to an extent! = lacking bodily strength or physically helpless, no power. We all need "water"!

So it is for our life. Christ is our water source: He is the Living Water! The water which if we partake of, we shall have eternal life! His water is ever lasting and always renewing. He is the one true reviver, He can satisfy our thirst and bring "life" into our lives! He can satisfy our wants, He can sooth the waves of our sorrow, He can calm the storms of contention and He can cause us to walk-on/get through impossible venues, even the ones that seem to last forever. He is the one true fount! His water is healing.

...every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. (Isa. 55: 1 (2 Ne. 9: 50)
...they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters. (Jer. 2: 13)
...asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (John 4: 10)
...any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7: 37)
...lead them unto living fountains of waters. (Rev. 7: 17)
...I will give unto him . . . of the water of life freely. (Rev. 21: 6)
...fountain of living waters, or . . . the love of God. (1 Ne. 11: 25)
...partake of the waters of life freely. (D&C 10: 66)
...same shall be in him a well of living water. (D&C 63: 23)

He can cause us to BE WHOLE. Now whether we are made whole from an actual physical infirmity or made whole from:

bad habits
addictions
depression
sadness
lusts
vices
anger
rudeness
doubt
despair
misery
grief
judgment
bad thoughts
unbridled tongue

...whatever it is-His water is always moving. . .He is always healing.

Back to the woman in the temple. All she had/wanted was water, and when she drank, the color came back into her cheeks and her physical body came back into order. The effect of the water was immediate! When offered juice, she knew it would not satisfy. She knew the source she needed to drink from and she did drink--and was made whole.

So it is for me! I know what "true" source will satisfy.


"Water, I need water" = LIVING WATER! :D